File Photo: Photo of Lahore Shalamar Bagh
Lahore: The Caretaker Government of Punjab has decided to transfer the historic Shalamar Bagh, Tomb of Jahangir and Tomb of Noor Jahan of Lahore from Punjab Archeology to Walled City of Lahore Authority after Shahi Fort. However, on the other hand, the employees of Punjab Archeology have challenged this initiative in the Lahore High Court.
He has taken a stand that it is not the mandate of the caretaker government to hand over the archeological property owned by the federal government to any authority, while the law of the Walled City of Lahore Authority itself does not allow it.
The caretaker provincial cabinet of Punjab in a meeting recently decided to hand over the important historical sites of Lahore including Shalamar Bagh, Jahangir Tomb and Noor Jahan Tomb (Shahedra Complex) from Punjab Archeology to the Walled City of Lahore Authority. That this dream of caretaker government and Walled City of Lahore Authority will remain unfulfilled once again.
Rana Irfan Ali, representative of Punjab Archeology Clerks Association (APCA), said that in 2019, an attempt was also made to give the tomb of Jahangir to the Walled City of Lahore Authority, but they (the archeology employees) had obtained an injunction from the Lahore High Court, which It is still intact, but despite this, the caretaker government of Punjab is going to give not only Jahangir’s tomb, but Noor Jahan’s tomb, Asif Jah’s tomb, Jahangir Sarai and Shalamar Bagh to the Walled City of Lahore Authority.
He has once again filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court, in which he has taken the position that this is the mandate of the Caretaker Government and neither the Walled City of Lahore Authority’s own law allows him to move outside the old Lahore city. can take the buildings of
Archaeologist and former director of Punjab Archaeology, Maqsood Ahmad Malik, while talking to The Express Tribune, said, “As many historical buildings and monuments in Pakistan are owned by the federal government, after the 18th amendment, the provincial governments have this authority. It was given that they will protect and conserve the national and world heritage in their respective provinces. Therefore, according to the law, the chief minister does not have the authority to hand over any national and world heritage to any authority, the archeology department has been managing this national and historical heritage with years of hard work and is engaged in its conservation.
According to the sources, objections are also raised against the Walled City of Lahore Authority that the authority has damaged the Shahi Qila in the name of promoting tourism and collecting revenue. The same location has been operated several times to obtain foreign funding. There are also objections against the Walled City Authority that till date it has not deposited even a single penny of the revenue generated from the tourist spots in the Punjab Heritage Foundation Fund. This move has been included in a petition filed in the Lahore High Court.
On the other hand, Dr. Muhammad Hameed, Head of Archeology Department of Punjab University, says that there is expertise and modern laboratory for research and conservation of historical sites of Punjab Archeology but unfortunately the department lacks funds and manpower. There are hundreds of sites in Punjab but Punjab Archeology currently has only four, five experts. On the other hand Walled City of Lahore Authority has funds and manpower and knows the skill of highlighting its work to the world, the work of Walled City Authority is also appreciated on various forums.
Dr. Muhammad Hameed said that before handing over the monuments and sites included in the national and international heritage list to the Walled City Authority, the matter has to be looked into with UNESCO. He suggested that it is better that the ownership of these sites and monuments should remain with Punjab Archaeology, but the services of the Walled City of Lahore Authority can be taken for their conservation and beautification.
In this regard, Secretary Tourism and Archeology Punjab Zaheer Hassan says that he has not yet received any order in writing of any such decision taken by the caretaker cabinet. However, there are reports that it has been discussed in the cabinet meeting. He said that as the secretary of the department, he is bound to implement the decisions taken in the cabinet.
He further said that he is satisfied with the performance of Punjab Archeology as the department has done very historical and important work with very few resources and few people.
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